A LABOUR candidate has called on the Government to release vital funding for a new dedicated sixth form building.

Josh MacAlister, the candidate for Whitehaven and Workington is pushing for the Government to fund a sixth form building at the Whitehaven Academy to free up space at the school. 

Cumbria Education Trust, which runs the academy, has submitted a request to the Government for urgent consideration of capital investment to continue delivering a quality 11-18 education offer across the Whitehaven and Workington academy sites, which are nearing capacity.

Sixth form numbers are expected to double in the next 4-5 years.

Mr MacAlister has written to Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education, asking that the department urgently releases the capital investment needed from what he says is an underspend in its existing budget.

Approximately £10 million is needed.

He said: “It is great to see local schools doing so well but frustrating for parents who want their children to attend and can’t get in. I have visited Whitehaven Academy and heard directly from the school leadership about the capacity challenges they’re facing.

“The Department for Education is responsible for capital funding for schools and Cumbria Education Trust has already put in a bid for investment.

“This funding for a dedicated sixth form is vital both to ensure that quality 16-18 education can meet expected demand in the coming years but also to free up space that could be used to increase the number of school places for future intakes at year 7.

“I have written to the Secretary of State urging her to release the funds so work can begin.”

Mr MacAlister has launched a campaign to put pressure on the Government to release the money. Residents can sign the petition at joshforwestcumbria.co.uk/schoolplaces